The gold scam, also known as the Bulgarian scam, is currently rampant on the roads of Ile-de-France. A victim paid the price in Val-de-Marne.
It’s a well-established scenario that allows crooks to steal money from people who would be kind enough to stop on the side of the road to help them. These malicious motorists in fact make it appear as if the car has broken down. Once stopped on the side of the road, they raise the hood, waiting for someone to come to their aid.
Often accompanied by their wife and children to soften their victim, they then explain their situation: they have run out of gasoline and not a penny to be able to refuel and get back on the road. They then try to convince their interlocutor to be taken to an ATM to withdraw money, but also offer an exchange of jewelry for a few euros, so that they can buy gasoline more quickly. A proposition that might seem attractive, except that these flashy jewels have no value. Some even offer gold bars that they try to sell at a low price, but these are blocks of metal plated with a thin layer of gold with no real value.
Recently, a motorist from Val-de-Marne was trapped on the A86 outside near Thiais, alerted the Info Trafic Ile-de-France Facebook page on March 1. This technique from eastern France is not new, since it is known under the name of the Bulgarian breakdown. It most often occurs on expressway exits or secondary roads.
The authorities first point out that a motorist who runs out of fuel generally asks to be accompanied to a service station rather than to a distributor. Also, if you see a car broken down on the side of the road, be aware that law enforcement recommends not to stop and to gather as much information as possible that can help identify a suspicious car. To protect yourself against this dangerous fraudulent practice, it is essential to remain vigilant and avoid any suspicious interactions. Also remember that insurance companies are there to help in the event of a motorist breakdown.